How Pathogens Invade: A Witty Guide to Body’s Defense System

The Emperor’s Mystified Query 👑
Huang Di stroked his beard skeptically: “Qibo, these sneaky pathogens – do they attack like bandits ambushing travelers? Where do they camp in our body’s terrain?”

Qibo’s Playful Pathogen Map 🗺️
“Your Majesty, think of pathogens as naughty water – they flow where the terrain allows!
• Upper Body: Wind-cold invaders (like uninvited frosty guests❄️)
• Lower Body: Dampness squatters (muddying your qi basement💦)
But here’s the twist – they’re shape-shifting ninjas! A yin meridian breach might party in yang organs, while yang meridian intruders could picnic on nerve highways!”

Meridian Traffic Report 🚦
Huang Di: “If meridians are interconnected superhighways, why do pathogens choose random exits?”

Qibo’s Roadside Wisdom:
“Picture three sunlit expressways converging at your head:
1️⃣ Face Attack → Slides down Yangming highway (hello sinus issues!)
2️⃣ Neck Ambush → Cruises Taiyang freeway (hello stiff shoulders!)
3️⃣ Jawline Intrusion → Zips through Shaoyang backroads (hello TMJ trouble!)
Pro Tip: Weak qi = Open toll gates! Sweaty workouts🍔 or late-night scrollathons📱 = pathogen VIP invites!”

Yin Meridian Spycraft 🕵️♂️
Huang Di: “How do dark forces infiltrate our yin realms?”

Qibo’s Defense Briefing:
“Pathogens exploit our inner thighs’ ‘soft armor’ – thinner skin + delicate muscles = body’s backdoor vulnerability! But here’s the hack:
💪 Strong organs? Pathogens get evicted to yang zones (hello bloating & acne!)
🛡️ Weak organs? They’ll throw raves in your liver lounge or kidney cabaret!”

Organ Assault Blueprint 💥
“Your Majesty, organs don’t just ‘catch colds’ – they accumulate emotional debt!
• ❤️ Heart: Betrayed by chronic worry (anxiety’s slow poison)
• 🫁 Lungs: Double-crossed by ice cream🍦 + winter walks❄️ (coughing conspiracy!)
• 🧠 Liver: Ambushed by bar fights🥊 + rage hangovers
• 🧘 Spleen: Sabotaged by Netflix marathons + tequila nights🍹
• 🦴 Kidneys: Bankrupted by gym-rat egos🏋️ + cold showers🚿

Immunity Hack: Strong organs = Bouncers at life’s nightclub! Cultivate:
1️⃣ Warm ginger tea ☕️ (pathogen pepper spray)
2️⃣ 7pm digital curfew 📴 (qi-recharge time)
3️⃣ Laughter yoga sessions 😂 (emotional armor)”

Frostbite Paradox Solved! ❄️👤
Huang Di: “Why do noses run but faces never freeze?”

Qibo’s Thermal Revelation:
“Your face is the Grand Central Station of qi!
• 👁️ 12 meridians + 365 collaterals = Supercharged facial serum💎
• 👂 Yang energy express lanes → Ears = Body’s satellite dishes
• 👃 Zong qi air traffic control → Nose = Scent radar
• 👅 Grain qi masterchef → Tongue = Flavor sommelier

Winter Survival Kit:
Your face’s secret? Thick dermis + constant qi traffic = Built-in thermal undies! 🧣 Try:
• 🧖♀️ Facial gua sha massage (boost antifreeze qi)
• 🌶️ Cinnamon tea (internal space heater)

The Yellow Emperor said, “When pathogenic factors invade the human body, what kind of symptoms do they cause?” Qi Bo replied, “When deficient pathogenic factors harm a person, the patient will feel cold and shiver. When pathogenic factors harm a person, the onset of the disease is relatively mild. At the beginning, there is only a slight change in facial color, and there is no feeling on the body. It seems to be ill and seems to be not ill. It seems that the pathogenic factors have left and seem to stay in the body. There may be some slight manifestations on the surface, but they are not obvious, so it is not easy to know the condition.” The Yellow Emperor said, “Very good!”

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo, “I have heard that observing the changes in the patient’s complexion to know the condition is called ‘ming’ (bright); feeling the pulse to know the condition is called ‘shen’ (divine); asking the patient to know the location of the disease is called ‘gong’ (skilled). I hope to understand why observing the complexion can know the disease, feeling the pulse can know the changes of the condition, and asking can understand the location of the disease. What is the principle behind this?”

Qi Bo said, “The patient’s complexion, pulse, and the skin of the forearm (chi fu) all have a certain corresponding relationship with the disease, just like the response of a drum to a mallet, and they will not be inconsistent. It is also like the root and branches of a tree. When the root is decayed, the branches and leaves will wither. When diagnosing a disease, it is necessary to observe the color, pulse, and body flesh comprehensively, and not to neglect any aspect. Therefore, knowing one aspect is just a general doctor, called ‘gong’; knowing two aspects is a more skillful doctor, called ‘shen’; knowing all three aspects is the most skillful doctor, called ‘shen ming’ (divine brightness).”

The Yellow Emperor said, “I hope to listen to you comprehensively about this principle.” Qi Bo answered, “In general diseases, the color and pulse are corresponding. The appearance of blue color corresponds to a taut pulse; red color corresponds to a hook pulse; yellow color corresponds to a slow pulse; white color corresponds to a floating pulse; black color corresponds to a stone pulse. If you see the color but not the corresponding pulse, or see the pulse that is克制 (overcome) by the color, it indicates a poor prognosis. If you see the pulse that is相生 (generated) by the color, although there is a disease, it will recover.”

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo, “What are the internal changes and symptoms of diseases in the five viscera?”

Qi Bo replied, “First, we need to determine the corresponding relationship between the five colors, five pulses, and diseases, and then the diseases of the five viscera can be distinguished.”

The Yellow Emperor said, “The complexion and pulse have been determined. How to distinguish the diseases of the five viscera?”

Qi Bo said, “As long as we examine the pulse’s slowness, urgency, smallness, largeness, smoothness, and astringency, the lesion can be determined.”

The Yellow Emperor said, “How is the examination method?” Qi Bo said, “When the pulse is urgent, the skin of the forearm is also tight; when the pulse is slow, the skin of the forearm is also relaxed; when the pulse is small, the skin of the forearm is also thin; when the pulse is large, the skin of the forearm is also swollen; when the pulse is smooth, the skin of the forearm is also smooth; when the pulse is astringent, the skin of the forearm is also dry. The above changes in pulse and skin of the forearm have different degrees of severity. Therefore, those who are good at examining the skin of the forearm do not need to wait to examine the pulse at the wrist; those who are good at examining the pulse do not need to wait to observe the five colors to know the condition. If we can comprehensively use the color, pulse, and skin of the forearm, the diagnosis will be more accurate, called ‘shang gong’ (superior physician), and the superior physician can cure nine out of ten diseases; if we can use two diagnostic methods, it is called ‘zhong gong’ (middle physician), and the middle physician can cure seven out of ten diseases; if we can only use one diagnostic method, it is called ‘xia gong’ (inferior physician), and the inferior physician can only cure six out of ten diseases.”

The Yellow Emperor said, “Please tell me what are the symptoms corresponding to the slow, urgent, small, large, smooth, and astringent pulses?”

Qi Bo said, “Let me talk about the specific lesions of the five viscera. When the heart pulse is very urgent, it causes convulsions of the hands and feet; slightly urgent, it causes heart pain radiating to the back, and difficulty in eating. When the heart pulse is very slow, it causes mental disorder with laughter; slightly slow, it causes a long – standing mass under the heart, moving up and down, and often spitting blood. When the heart pulse is very large, it causes a feeling of something blocking in the throat; slightly large, it causes heart pain radiating to the back, and tearing at times. When the heart pulse is very small, it causes hiccup; slightly small, it causes excessive hunger and thirst. When the heart pulse is very smooth, it causes thirst; slightly smooth, it causes heart pain radiating to the navel, and rumbling in the lower abdomen. When the heart pulse is very astringent, it causes inability to speak; slightly astringent, it causes bleeding, cold extremities, tinnitus, and top of the head diseases.”

When the pulse of the lungs is rapid, it can indicate a severe condition such as epilepsy; a slightly rapid pulse may point to a combination of cold and heat in the lungs, accompanied by fatigue, weakness, coughing, blood in the sputum, and chest or back pain, or even nasal polyps. A significantly slow pulse suggests excessive sweating, while a slightly slow pulse could indicate conditions such as chronic discharge or paralysis of one side of the body, often accompanied by continuous sweating below the head. An excessively large pulse may point to severe swelling in the legs, while a slightly enlarged pulse suggests lung obstruction, with sensations of chest and back fullness and sensitivity to sunlight. A significantly small pulse could indicate diarrhea, and a slightly small pulse might signal a wasting disease. A slippery pulse can be a sign of coughing, wheezing, or reverse flow of qi, while a slightly slippery pulse, in the upper part of the body, might indicate nosebleeds, and in the lower body, gastrointestinal bleeding. A significantly rough pulse may point to vomiting blood, while a slightly rough pulse may indicate a condition of the abdominal muscles and joints, characterized by weakness in the lower limbs, difficulty standing, and sore extremities.

A rapid pulse in the liver meridian suggests anger or rage, with a slight rapid pulse signaling conditions like fatty liver disease, which is typically found below the ribs and resembles a swollen cup. A very slow pulse here may indicate vomiting, while a slightly slow pulse could signal fluid accumulation in the chest and sides, along with urinary issues. An excessively large pulse in the liver meridian may indicate internal abscesses or frequent vomiting and nosebleeds. A slightly large pulse could point to liver blockage, with a tightening of the genitalia and abdominal pain linked to coughing. A very small pulse in the liver meridian is often associated with excessive thirst, while a slightly small pulse indicates a wasting condition with a preference for hunger. A slippery pulse suggests scrotal swelling or hernia, while a slightly slippery pulse might point to enuresis. A very rough pulse indicates edema, while a slightly rough pulse suggests muscle spasms or joint stiffness.

In the spleen meridian, a rapid pulse suggests limb spasms, while a slightly rapid pulse could signal a condition where food enters the stomach and is quickly regurgitated, often with frothy stools. An excessively slow pulse indicates weak, flaccid limbs or cold extremities, while a slightly slow pulse could indicate wind-related paralysis, where the limbs are immobile, though the mind remains clear, similar to a healthy person. A significantly large pulse may indicate a sudden collapse, while a slightly large pulse suggests a hernia disease, with pus and blood outside the intestines. A very small pulse might suggest a condition of cold and heat, while a slightly small pulse is related to internal heat and wasting. A slippery pulse suggests scrotal swelling or urinary retention, while a slightly slippery pulse could indicate parasitic infestations like roundworms in the intestines, with heat in the abdomen. A rough pulse indicates prolapsed intestines, while a slightly rough pulse is associated with intestinal ulcers or pus in the stool.

A rapid pulse in the kidney meridian points to deep-seated evil affecting the bones, often presenting as bone epilepsy. A slightly rapid pulse suggests heaviness and coldness in the lower limbs, possibly leading to conditions like “Ben Tun,” where the legs become stiff and unable to bend, often accompanied by urinary retention. A significantly slow pulse may indicate severe lower back pain or spinal issues, while a slightly slow pulse suggests a condition called “Dong Xie,” where food cannot be digested and is passed out through diarrhea. An excessively large pulse may indicate impotence or urinary issues, while a slightly large pulse points to kidney stones, with bloating in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the stomach. A very small pulse is often linked to “Dong Xie,” while a slightly small pulse suggests a wasting disease. A slippery pulse indicates urinary retention or hernia, while a slightly slippery pulse points to bone atrophy, where the patient feels weak and dizzy when attempting to stand. A rough pulse can indicate severe abscesses or boils, while a slightly rough pulse is associated with menstrual irregularities or long-term hemorrhoids.

Pulse Patterns and Their Corresponding Conditions:

The Yellow Emperor asks: How can we correlate the six pulse patterns with the diseases of the five zang organs? Qi Bo replies: Generally, tight pulses often indicate cold evils, while slow pulses suggest heat. Large pulses usually signal an excess of qi with a deficiency in blood, while small pulses indicate a deficiency in both qi and blood. Slippery pulses suggest an excess of yang energy, while rough pulses are associated with blood stasis, qi deficiency, and a slight cold appearance. Therefore, in acupuncture treatment, when the pulse is rapid, deep needling should be employed with longer needle retention. For slow pulses, shallower needle insertions are appropriate, with quick removal to disperse the heat. When the pulse is large, light and dispersing techniques should be applied, avoiding bloodletting. For slippery pulses, shallow needle insertions and swift removal are recommended to discharge the excess yang. Rough pulses require accurate needle placement, adjusted based on the direction of the meridian’s energy flow, with long needle retention and massaging to guide the flow, followed by rapid pressure on the needle site to avoid bleeding, allowing the qi and blood to harmonize. For small pulses, indicating a deficiency in both yin and yang, acupuncture is generally not advised; instead, sweet-tasting herbs should be used for treatment.

The Yellow Emperor asks: I have heard that the qi of the five zang and six fu organs emanates from the Jing points, flows through the Ying points, and enters the He points. How do these energies enter, and how do they relate to the meridians of the organs? Qi Bo replies: The hand and foot yang meridians pass through separate pathways to connect with the six fu organs internally.

The Yellow Emperor asks: Do the Ying, Shu, and He points play specific roles in treatment? Qi Bo replies: The qi at the Ying and Shu points is more superficial, making them effective for treating external diseases, while the qi at the He points is deeper, allowing them to treat internal organ diseases.

Huang Di: How do we treat internal organ diseases with acupuncture?

Qi Bo: We target the corresponding He points on the Yang meridians.

Huang Di: Do these He points have specific names?

Qi Bo: Absolutely! Here’s the breakdown:

• The He point of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming is in Sanli.
• The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming joins the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming at Upper Giant Void.
• The Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang merges with the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming at Lower Giant Void.
• The Triple Energizer Meridian of Hand Shaoyang aligns with the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang at Weiyang.
• The Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang converges at Weizhong.
• The Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang meets at Yanglingquan.

Huang Di: How do we accurately locate these points?

Qi Bo: For Sanli, keep the foot dorsum level. For Upper Giant Void, raise the foot. For Weiyang, first flex and then extend the leg. For Weizhong, bend the knee. For Yanglingquan, sit upright with knees parallel, then locate it just outside Weiyang. When treating diseases of the external meridians, stretching and manipulating the limbs helps find the acupoints.

Huang Di: Can you elaborate on the diseases of the six bowels?

Qi Bo:

• The Stomach Meridian manifests on the face; facial heat indicates Stomach issues.
• The Large Intestine Meridian runs behind the thenar eminence; blood stasis or bruising here signals Large Intestine trouble.
• The Chongyang Vessel on the dorsum of the feet showing firmness or softness indicates a Stomach problem.

Symptoms of Large Intestine Diseases: Pain like a knife in the intestines, gurgling sounds, diarrhea worsened by cold in winter, and navel pain. Treat using the Upper Giant Void on the Stomach Meridian.

Symptoms of Stomach Diseases: Abdominal fullness, epigastric pain, pain radiating to the flanks, chest and throat obstruction, and difficulty swallowing. Treat with the Sanli point on the Stomach Meridian.

Symptoms of Small Intestine Diseases: Lower abdominal pain, referred pain to the testicles, urgent urination or defecation, heat in front of the ears, severe cold or heat in the shoulders, and heat between the little finger and ring finger. Treat using the Lower Giant Void on the Stomach Meridian.

Symptoms of Triple Energizer Diseases: Abdominal bloating, extreme fullness in the lower abdomen, urinary retention, edema under the skin, or ascites. Observe changes in the lateral branch of the Taiyang Meridian and treat using the Weiyang point.

Symptoms of Bladder Diseases: Lower abdominal swelling and pain, a strong urge to urinate upon abdominal pressure but with difficulty, heat in the shoulders, and heat in the outer side of the small toe, ankle, and lower leg. Treat using the Weizhong point on the Bladder Meridian.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Diseases: Long sighs, bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting bitter fluid, palpitations, fear, the sensation of being chased, and the feeling of obstruction in the throat with a constant urge to vomit. For cold and heat phenomena in Gallbladder diseases, use moxibustion or the Yanglingquan point.

Huang Di: Is there a specific rule for acupuncture?

Qi Bo: Indeed. Precision is vital—acupuncture must hit the correct acupoints to unblock the meridians. Misplaced needles can cause pain or exacerbate the condition. The wrong technique in tonifying or reducing can worsen the disease. Hitting tendons causes slackness, making it harder to expel evil qi and allowing it to intertwine with true qi, leading to deeper and more severe ailments. These mistakes result from not adhering to proper acupuncture principles.